Topic	Name	Description
Course Syllabus	Course Syllabus

1.1: Presenting to an Audience	The Benefits of Learning How to Speak Publicly	Watch this video, which summarizes three benefits of learning how to present for an audience.
	How to Speak So People Want to Listen	This short talk offers a foundation for both parts of our course: preparing for and delivering a presentation. As you proceed through this course, keep the HAIL model in mind. Practice using the voice tools demonstrated here to see how they affect your audience.

1.2: The Communication Model	The Communication Process	Watch this video, which considers these models in more depth. For this course, think about your presentation as a transaction you have with the people in your audience.
	Communication Models	Watch this video, which introduces several communication models.

1.3: Feedback	Reading Audience Feedback	This short article discusses how the feedback process works during a presentation and how a speaker gathers feedback from an audience.

1.4: Context and Interference	The Communications Process	Read this chapter to explore the simultaneous transmission and interaction aspects of communication. The relational and cultural context can affect how your message is transmitted and communicated.
	Transactional Model of Communication	Review this communication model to explore the things that can affect our understanding of a given interaction.

2.1: Audience Analysis	What is Audience Analysis?	Read this chapter, which explains the importance of audience analysis. Pay attention to three types of audience analysis; demographic, situation, and psychological. Make sure the reasons you use to make judgments about your audience are accurate.

2.2: Gathering Audience Information	How to Conduct Audience Analysis	Read this chapter for more ideas on how to conduct audience analysis.

2.3: Choosing the Right Language	The Importance of Language	Read this article, which explains how to use language creatively while avoiding jargon and obscenities.
	Word Choice	This short article explains how to choose your words wisely.

2.4: Using Inclusive Language	Inclusive Language	Inclusivity also refers to avoiding words your audience may find disrespectful, condescending, or patronizing. This guide for U.S. federal employees offers specific guidance on terms that are less offensive to listeners. Keep in mind that the public meaning of these words often changes with time.

2.5: Using Simple Language	Using the Right Tone	Read this article, which differentiates between simple and complex language.

3.1: How to Choose Your Topic	Choosing a Topic	This article gives an overview of this process, which we will cover in more detail later.

3.2: Topics that are Relevant to You	Finding and Selecting a Topic	Read this chapter, which offers advice on how to determine your areas of expertise and interest. It explains how to narrow your topic to make it manageable using a process called scoping.
	How to Choose a Topic	Mind mapping is one way to brainstorm and determine the scope of your topic. This resource explains how to approach topic choice and offers creative strategies for developing a focus.

3.3: Topics that are Relevant to the Audience	Choosing a Relevant Topic	Watch this video on choosing a relevant topic.

3.4: Topics that are Relevant to the Occasion	Consider the Occasion	The occasion of your presentation should influence the material you choose, how you approach your subject matter, and the language you use. This article looks at the aspects you should consider as you plan your presentation.

4.1: General Purpose – Presentations	Finding Your Purpose	Read this chapter, which explains how to identify your general purpose.
	Your Purpose and Central Idea	Watch this video, which discusses the general purpose, specific purposes, and thesis (or central idea) statements.

4.1.1: Presenting to Inform	Informative Speeches	Pay attention to the "Getting Plugged In" section in this article. Watch one of the talks to get an idea of how the pieces fit together.
	Could a Saturn Moon Harbor Life?	Watch this short demonstration of an informative presentation.

4.1.2: Presenting to Persuade	Persuasive Speeches	Read this description of how to approach different kinds of persuasive presentations.
	How to Use Rhetoric to Get What you Want	Watch this video, which explains how persuasive presentations work. Think about the types of persuasion you have participated in recently.

4.1.3: Presenting to Entertain	Entertaining Speeches	Read this chapter to learn about presentations whose general purpose is to entertain.

4.2: Specific Purpose – Presentations	Specific Purposes	Read this chapter, which explains what a specific purpose statement is and why you should create one for your presentation.
	Developing Your Specific Purpose	Watch this video to learn how to develop your topic, general, and specific purpose statements.

4.3: Writing a Thesis	Developing Your Thesis	Read this brief article, which gives some ideas for what to consider as you develop your thesis.
	Establishing a Purpose and a Thesis	Read this review of how to develop a clear and articulate thesis.
	The Goal of Your Thesis	Watch this short video that summarizes the goal of a thesis and how to develop it.

4.4: Main Points and Speech Patterns	Determine Your Main Points	Read this article to learn how to choose your main points and an appropriate speech pattern.

4.5: Introductions and Conclusions	Why Introductions Matter	Read this exploration of what you should include in your introduction.
	Introduction	Read this text, which gives examples for each part of the introduction.
	How to Write an Introduction	Watch this short video, which summarizes what you should provide in your introduction.
	Why Conclusions Matter	This article explores the goal of a well-developed conclusion. Pay attention to ending with a "concluding device", which is a theme we will return to.
	Conclusions	Watch this short video, which explains how to create a powerful conclusion.

4.6: Getting the Audience's Attention	Incorporating an Attention-Getter	In your conclusion, leave your audience with something to think about that will help them remember what you talked about. Many call this a final thought, which you should make sure is memorable and carefully constructed.
	How to Begin Your Speech	Watch this video by a professional speechwriter that focuses on how to get an audience's attention.
	Steps for Creating a Conclusion	This article explains how the attention-grabbing devices you use in your introduction can help you develop a powerful conclusion.
	Parts of a Conclusion	Watch this short video, which describes what you should include in your conclusion.

4.7: Transitions	The Importance of Transitions	Read this article, which describes how transitions function within a presentation.
	Keep Your Speech Moving	Read this section, which describes different transitions and demonstrates how to use them to keep your speech moving.
	Incorporating Transitions	Watch this video about where to transition and what transitions do for your presentation.

5.1: Types of Supporting Content	Researching and Supporting Your Speech	This article explores materials you can use to support your argument and where you can find them.

5.1.1: Facts and Statistics	Finding Relevant Facts and Statistics	This article gives some reference information that will help you get started with your research.
	How Statistics Can Be Misleading	Be sure to evaluate how the researchers conducted their investigations and made their conclusions. Watch this short video, which explains how statistics can misrepresent real-world situations.
	Three Ways to Spot a Bad Statistic	Watch this video, which explains how to discern good and bad statistics.

5.1.2: Examples and Stories	Using Examples	Read this article, which explores how to use examples effectively.
	Using Your Life Experience	Read this article, which explores how to integrate stories into your presentation as supporting material.
	How to Tell a Great Story	Watch these two videos, which explain how to tell a story for maximum impact.
	The Transformative Power of Storytelling	Read this short article on the transformative power of storytelling.
	Keys to Great Storytelling	Watch this talk on how to tell a story.
	Incorporating Examples	Since it can be difficult to find the perfect story to prove your point, you may need to create a hypothetical example that is plausible and grounded in fact. Always be transparent about where your story originated to maintain your credibility. Review this article for some examples.

5.2: Using Credible Sources	Credibility Appeals	Read this article, which explains how the sources you use can influence your credibility as a presenter.
	Ethics, Plagiarism, and Reliable Sources	Read this article, which presents an ethical framework for choosing and integrating sources into your presentation.
	Credibility and Trustworthiness of Online Sources	This article offers another viewpoint about reviewing the credibility and trustworthiness of online sources.

5.3: Finding Appropriate Sources	Research Strategies	Read this article on how to begin your research process.
	Gathering Reliable Information	Read this article for a list of places to find the information you need.
	Using Sources to Find More Sources	Bibliographies can help you find sources for your presentation. They list the resources an author referenced when they wrote a book about a given topic. Read this toolkit on how to identify and find sources from citations.
	Evaluating Sources for Credibility	Searching for information online is a skill. Will the information support the arguments you plan to use in your presentation? Are the sources accurate and reputable? What about the organization or company that provides the material? How will your audience perceive or react to this source? Watch this video about how to recognize the value and quality of sources you find online.

5.4: Critically Analyzing Your Research	Evaluating the Accuracy of a Source	First, consider whether the source material is accurate. One of the easiest ways to check for accuracy is to see if you can find another independent source that corroborates your information. Will your audience members believe your statements or demand additional proof? Watch this video, which will walk you through some tips to help you make this determination.
	Evaluating the Reputation of a Source	Next, consider the reputation of the source. Is the source of the information you plan to use respected in the community? Does it have an established track record for accuracy that will resonate with your audience, or will it damage your argument's credibility? This video uses a process called the 5 Cs to walk through an assessment of a source. How can you put this method to work for you?
	Evaluating the Credibility of a Website	Watch this short overview of things to look at when evaluating a website.
	Evaluating the Reputation of an Author	Read this article, which explores why and how to assess the reputation of an author.
	Evaluating Sources for Audience and Purpose	Finally, what does your audience think about your source? Your source could be entirely accurate and reputable, but your audience may have had negative experiences or preconceptions about its authenticity that could resonate poorly and undermine your credibility. Consider the consequences of using a source like this, and be prepared to defend your reasons for using it during your presentation. Watch this video, which walks through the process of choosing sources.

5.5: Citing Your Sources	Acknowledging Sources and Avoiding Plagiarism	This article explains why you should acknowledge your sources during your presentation.
	Common Citation Formats	This article explains two common citation formats, MLA and APA. It also has a great quick reference you can use as you document your sources.
	How to Cite Your Sources	Read this article, which offers more specifics on giving citations during your presentation.

6.1: Why Use Presentation Aids?	What to Do and Not to Do for a Presentation	Read these basic guidelines for creating and using visuals.
	Designing a Presentation	Read this chapter, which identifies the different purposes your presentation aids should serve.
	Organizing a Visual Presentation	Your presentation aids can reinforce your presentation's structure and help you transition from one point to another. They should guide the audience and keep you on track. Read this section for some tips on organizing your presentation.

6.2: Design Elements	Designing Visual Aids	Read this page for more background and examples.
	Incorporating Effective Visuals	Read this page for more discussion and tips for developing and using different types of presentation aids.
	Guidelines for Visual Aids	Watch this short video, which offers a clear set of presentational aid guidelines.

7.1: Examples of Great Presenters	Great Presentations: A Traditional Address	Watch President John F. Kennedy's inaugural address to see a traditional style of speech that is popular in law school.
	Great Presentations: Using Pauses to Captivate	Listen to this podcast to hear how President Barack Obama uses pauses to great effect with an engaging, rolling cadence. He uses words that relate to the feelings of his audience to captivate and inspire.
	Great Presentations: The Great Communicator	President Ronald Reagan often incorporated jokes and personal stories into his speeches, a style that led listeners to characterize him as "the great communicator".

7.2: Nonverbal Presentation Skills	Nonverbal Communication	Read this section, which describes how we communicate nonverbally and the role of nonverbal communication.

7.3: Using Your Voice	Your Vocal Toolbox	Watch the second half of this talk that you saw earlier in the course to hear examples of each tool in your "vocal toolbox".
	Speaking and Voice	Watch this video to hear how presenters use their voices to support their message.
	Using Your Voice Effectively in Speech	Watch this video, which discusses how to use your voice and offers an opportunity to practice.
	Great Presentations: The Danger of Silence	Watch this short video, where a poet and teacher transitions from extemporaneous speaking to a memorized spoken-word performance. Notice how his vocal dynamics change as he interprets his poem for his audience.

7.4: Voice Dynamics	Effective Vocal Delivery	Read this article, which explains how to use voice dynamics to enhance your message.
	Vocal Delivery	In addition to discussing rate, volume and pitch, this reading introduces the concepts of fluency and conversational tone.
	Pump up the Volume	Watch this video to see a demonstration of how you can use your voice for great effect.

7.5: Pacing	Adjusting Your Pace	Read this brief article that presents techniques for adjusting your pace.

7.6: Conversational Tone	Using Tone to Engage	Watch this video, which offers examples of what we mean by conversational tone.

7.7: Fluency	Using Fluency to Engage	Watch this video which demonstrates how to pause during your presentation to help communicate your message to your audience.
	Fluency and Voice Dynamics	Watch this video to see some more pauses in action. How do pauses impact what you learn from the presentation?

7.8: Using Your Body	Recharge Your Vocal Energy with Movement	Watch this video for examples of what it means to use your body language during a presentation.
	Facial Expressions	Watch this video to learn how to match your facial expression with the content of your topic.

7.9: Gestures	What to Do with Your Hands	Watch this video, which demonstrates how to use your hands when you present and how your body language can convey meaning to your audience.
	Using Gestures for Effect	Watch this video to see some common mistakes people make when presenting.

7.10 Eye Contact	Mastering Eye Contact	This video explains why it is important to maintain eye contact to show your audience you are conversing with them.

8.1: Types of Presentations	Delivering a Speech	This text offers an overview of the types of presentation delivery methods, which we will review in more detail later.

8.2: Impromptu Presentations	How to Give an Impromptu Speech	Watch this video for explicit guidance on how to present an impromptu presentation.

8.3: Extemporaneous Presentations	Extemporaneous Speeches	Read this article, which summarizes the basics of extemporaneous presentations, as compared to impromptu speeches.
	Giving an Extemporaneous Speech	Watch this video for an explanation of extemporaneous speaking.

8.4: Manuscript Presentations	Speaking from a Manuscript	Read this article, which offers more insight on manuscript speaking.

8.5: Memorized Presentations	Why You Should Not Memorize Your Speech	Watch this video to learn why most professionals discourage speakers from memorizing their presentations.

9.1: Presenting Online	Online Public Speaking	Read this introduction, which summarizes what we will cover in this section.
	Why Lectures are Dead (or Soon Will Be)	Read this article to learn how educators are increasingly using lecture capture technologies to record their lectures so students can watch and review their recorded presentations later.

9.2: Webinars	Delivering an Effective Webinar	Watch this video of a recorded webinar presentation to learn how to make your webinar presentations more effective. It is a long presentation, but worth viewing!
	Webinars are Better but not Best	This article describes some negative aspects of the webinar format, such as the fact that many are "about telling, not reflecting, doing or collaborating".

9.3: Guidelines for Online Presentations	Presenting Online	Read this short text to help transition to an online presentation format. What stays the same, and what changes?
	Recording Your Online Presentation	Watch this short video to help recognize the similarities and differences between live and online presentations, and to see how to set up a recorded presentation.

9.3.1: Screen Presence and Camera Placement	How to Use Your Webcam	Watch this video for tips on how to adjust your webcam to make yourself look good. These include adjusting for appropriate headroom, using proper eye contact and eye level, stabilizing your laptop, and using proper lighting.

9.3.2: Lighting	Setting Up Good Lighting	Watch this video, which offers a demonstration of the importance of proper lighting.
	Lighting Tips	Watch this short video for ideas on how to test your lighting.

9.3.3: Background	Creating Your Visual Background	Watch this a quick tip for how to troubleshoot for background noise before your presentation. Creating a video to pinpoint sound issues can also help you identify visual distractors you may not notice otherwise.

9.3.4: Sound and Vocal Delivery	Maintaining a Conversational Tone	Watch this brief video for ideas for how to maintain a conversational tone. Being comfortable with the technologies you use is very important.

9.3.5: Eye Contact	Maintaining Eye Contact with an Online Audience	Watch this quick tip on how to maintain eye contact with a remote audience.

9.3.6: Movement	Dress and Posture	Read these tips on how to use your dress, posture, personal visualizations, and pauses to engage your audience during a face-to-face or online presentation.
	Seven Tips for Presenting Online	Watch this video for advice on how to present during a teleconference. What movement guidelines apply during this type of online presentation?

Prior to Your Presentation	Using Your Presentation Aids	Watch this video about how to use your presentation aid.
	Leveraging Your Media Options	Read this short article, which summarizes standard presentation options.
	Presentation Aids that Distract	Watch this video, which shows how presentation aids can distract your audience. In this example, viewers may spend more time trying to decipher the charts rather than listening to the speaker's words. Notice how the speaker spends more time looking at his visuals than his audience!
	Presentation Aids that Enhance	Read this chapter to learn how to prepare your visual aids and how to use them when the time comes.

10.2: Revealing and Concealing Your Presentation Aids	Using Visual Aids	Read this text for practical guidelines for using your presentation aid effectively.

10.3: Working with Technology	Preparing for Technology Failures	Read these tips on how to prepare for technology failures during your presentation.

11.1 Communicating with a Live Audience	Communicating with a Live Audience	Read this chapter for an overview of the issues and potential complications of public speaking.
	The Science of Stage Fright (and How to Overcome It)	Watch this video, which explains what public speaking anxiety or "stage fright" is and what you can do to manage it.
	Managing Speech Anxiety	Watch this video, which introduces the concept of communication apprehension (the umbrella term which includes public speaking anxiety) and offers some techniques for managing it.
	Speaking with Confidence	Read this chapter, which offers advice and encouragement to help you manage your anxiety, reduce stress, and present in a public setting with confidence.

11.2: Adapting to Your Audience	Adapting to Your Audience	Read this advice on how you can read your audience and respond to their feedback during your presentation.

11.3: Preparing for Questions from the Audience	Managing Audience Questions	Read these tips on how to prepare for and handle the question-and-answer section of your presentation.
	Responding to Hostile Questions	Watch this video to learn strategies for handling an audience member who uses the question-and-answer time to express hostility.
	Tips for Handling Questions	Read this text for more ideas on ways to respond to questions during your presentation.

Course Feedback Survey	Course Feedback Survey